Authors Interviewing Characters: Carolyn Clarke

July 19, 2022 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

Carolyn Clarke, award winning author, interviews Allison Montgomery, the protagonist of her debut novel And Then There’s Margaret.

And Then There’s Margaret is a story about a tired, worn-out mid-lifer, Allison Montgomery, who feels lost inside the walls of her own identity, both at home and at work. When her father-in-law, someone she adores and cherishes, passes away, Allie feels even more adrift.

To make matters worse, because of George’s passing, Allie’s bossy, self-absorbed and exceptionally stubborn mother-in-law, Margaret, “temporarily” moves in. Through the trials and tribulations of daily life—including trying to drop twenty years off her forty-five-year-old body, Allie struggles with keeping it together. She bounces between a sincere desire to be supportive of Margaret and the occasional, intense urge, to push her out of the nearest window. Along the way, Allie discovers that her mother-in-law might actually be human after all – does it help? Maybe.

Thank you, Allie, for joining us today! Boy, do I have questions for you. But for now, let’s keep them simple. How would you describe yourself, if you had to start at the beginning of your married life?

Shortly after Hank and I got married and the grown-up job and first child came along, I suddenly found myself having to become even more of a grown-up. I no longer felt care-free and easy going. I wanted so badly to stay true to myself while dealing with all the life transitions that were happening so quickly. And one of the biggest transitions was allowing Hank’s mother, Margaret, to be in our lives. Everyday. We needed her because “adulting” was tough and stressful. And before I knew it, my married life made me feel stuck because I no longer had time for the things that made me feel happy and carefree.

What kind of person would you say you are now?

Since Hank and I are almost in the empty nest stage of life, I feel I can start to fantasize about all the things I can do with the time I have. Once we get a better handle on our finances and re-jig a few things around the house, including Margaret, I’m hoping to travel and get back into running. When I have these things in my life, I’m a much happier person.

Why is your relationship with your best friend Val so important to you?

Whenever one of us needs to talk or complain about a bunch of things, we are there for each other at a moment’s notice. She’s also the one I express a multitude of emotions to about my incredibly challenging and thorny relationship with Margaret. Val understands. She had a difficult mother-in-law once.

I never got to meet my mother-in-law…and I’m sure we would’ve been good friends, but how on earth did you survive the relationship you had with your mother-in-law, Margaret, through all these years?

Well, aside from our “temporary” houseguest and a roaring hoover in the background, I survived with chocolate-covered almonds, Chardonnay, Val, and trips to the gym. And what really helped was fantasizing (and hoping) about doing something other than the job I’d been doing for the past twenty years. Hope is a powerful tool to help stay positive and confident. It helps move us forward when feeling stuck. But it wasn’t easy holding on to that hope with Margaret at the sidelines after losing George. He was my buffer and confidant.

What do you think of your mother-in-law, Margaret, now?

I love Margaret. She’s family after all. But truth be told, there are days when I still have the intense urge to push her out the nearest window. When I uncovered the real reason behind her treatment of me over all these years, I did eventually better understand her. I doubt that the two of us will ever be best friends. But I continue to learn from her as I continue to learn about myself. Being with her has helped me develop patience, grace, and respect.

Do you think you might be the same kind of mother-in-law to your son’s wife?

Probably not. I’ll be happy, relieved, and content, enjoying the fond memories of raising Cameron when he goes off and starts his own family. I will not be sad because I’ll be too busy enjoying my newfound freedom.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to those who are about to marry their sweethearts and have a mother like Margaret?

If it’s just one piece of advice, here’s an important one. Beware that your husband may take sides with his mother. He may fully support her which may go against your wishes. Just remember, he may be torn between respect for his mother and a commitment to you. While that might sound bewildering, it’s a pretty common feeling with men who love and deeply care about their mothers. He loves you, always remember that—unless there’s another woman involved. You don’t want to put him in the middle, so keep things smooth between all of you as much as possible. If her complaints continue, smile politely, and ignore them. It’s hard to argue with a smile. It’ll rattle her for sure.

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And Then There’s Margaret by Carolyn Clarke (Black Rose Writing) is available from Amazon and all good book retailers.

Carolyn Clarke is the founder and curator of HenLit Central, a blog focused on ‘life and lit’ for women over 40. And Then There’s Margaret is her first novel. She has been an ESL teacher for over sixteen years and has co-authored several articles and resources with Cambridge University Press, MacMillan Education and her award-winning blog ESL Made Easy. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her partner, Tony, her two daughters and a bulldog, Sophie.